$765M man Juan Soto may be overthinking at the plate, Mets exec hints at mental strain

Juan Soto's first season in Queens hasn’t unfolded the way the New York Mets or their fans had hoped. Touted as a generational talent and signed to a staggering $765 million deal—the richest contract in North American sports history—Soto has yet to find his groove in the Big Apple. Currently hitless in his last 14 at-bats, his batting average has slid to .224, a steep drop of 57 points below his career mark. But despite the disappointing start, the Mets' top brass remains unwavering in their faith.David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, acknowledged that Soto’s mechanics aren’t necessarily the problem. “I honestly don't have like a 'this is the issue he needs to fix to get better',” Stearns said, noting that Soto’s plate discipline remains intact. “I think he's taking pretty good at-bats. Controlling the strike zone pretty well. Hitting the ball on the ground a little bit more than he has in the past. That's something he's aware of.”The struggle appears to be more mental than mechanical. “Do I think he's trying to do a little bit too much right now? Yeah, I think he's probably trying to do a little bit too much right now,” Stearns added. “And that is natural for a player who cares about improving.”Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, mirrored this sentiment, pointing out to Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci that Soto may be wrestling with the pressures of being baseball’s highest-paid player. Boras suggested that adjusting to “the crown” isn’t as seamless as one might expect.Still, patience seems to be the prevailing tone in the Mets organization. Manager Carlos Mendoza has defended Soto’s performance, insisting he’s passing the “eye test,” and owner Steve Cohen has also urged fans to take the long view.Despite Soto’s underwhelming numbers, the Mets are holding strong in second place in the NL East with a 34–22 record. If history is any indication, a player of Soto’s caliber won’t stay quiet for long. For now, the Mets are betting on his talent to rise above the noise.Also Read: Mookie Betts suffers bizarre toe injury, sidelined for Dodgers' high-stakes Yankees series opener